Obituary of Mary Rogers

Mary Elizabeth "Maribeth" Rogers was born November 17, 1919 in Independence, KS to Clarence Harvey and Frankie Lee (Spellman) Smith. She passed from this life peacefully Wednesday, February 27, 2013 surrounded by her loving family and caregivers at the age of 93. Mary was an outstanding student at the University of Oklahoma graduating with many honors in 1941. She served as President of Mortar Board and was member of Phi Beta Kappa. She was a gifted athlete and received many awards in tennis and golf competitions, including ladies' club champion at Mohawk Golf Course. She was a lifelong member of First United Methodist Church where she was active in the Joyner Class for the past 67 years. Mary volunteered with Meals on Wheels for more than 20 years and was awarded their Tulsa Volunteer of the Year honor. Most of all, she will be remembered for her love and care for her family as a wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. Mary was the loving wife of Eldon A. Rogers, former president of Flintco. She was a devoted partner in life with Eldon, who suffered a severe case of polio in l952. He retired in l985 and is remembered for his outstanding engineering skills and his influence that helped define the downtown Tulsa skyline. Mary and Eldon were married for more than 65 years prior to his death in 2006. Mary is survived by her daughter, Janice Rogers Nicklas; grandchildren, Dan Rogers and his wife, Cami, Kari Nicklas, Peter Nicklas, and Karen Tarwater and her husband, Scott; great grandchildren, Kobey and Alec Rogers and Hannah Tarwater; nieces and nephews, JoAnne Burke, Jack Wolfe and Charles Rogers, all of Tulsa and niece, Louise Boyd James of Noble, OK. Mary was preceded in death by her son, Ned H. Rogers, and sister, Jeannie Wolfe of Tulsa. Mary's family would like to acknowledge the support of her "caregiver family" over the past 5 years of her life: Pat Brown, Frances Brown, Saundra Foster, Tommie Sweet, and JoAnne Rhine. A memorial service will be held 2:00 pm Monday, March 4, 2013 at First Methodist Church following a private family committal at Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, friends may contribute in Mary's memory to First United Methodist Church, 1115 South Boulder, Tulsa, OK 74119 or Tulsa Area United Way, 1430 South Boulder, Tulsa, OK 74119. Ninde Funeral Directors, Brookside Chapel 918-742-5556 www.ninde.com